Seabourn Odyssey Bali to Oz and NZ 2014/15 | Captain Mark Dexterhttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/
en-GBWed, 21 Feb 2018 17:27:31 -0400http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssSandvox 2.10.11Last entry for this blog.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/last-entry-for-this-blog.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Galley Market. Chef Felix.</p></div>
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</div><p>I am sitting at home now putting the finishing touches to the blog. It has been another epic journey. The Tasman Sea was almost like a lake compared to the same crossing around a month ago. The galley market was as usual a rip roaring success. I love to attend and mingle with the guests and crew. Both enjoy it immensely.
</p><p>We docked in Melbourne and anchored at Geelong before we berthed at Sydney where I left for home. So this blog comes to an end. It is going to be one heck of a leave. I must visit the US embassy in London to renew my Seamans visa. I have to help Debbie pack up the house ready to ship it, our car and motorcycles back to New Zealand. That should be enough to keep us busy for a while.
</p><p>I will leave you with some photos of the ports we visited lately and my last crew of the day who is our Staff Captain Kaloyan. Until the next time……
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Another galley market piece of art.</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Choices choices</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Behind the scenes in the galley.</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Loading new deck furniture in Melbourne</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Sailing Regatta in Geelong.</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Darwin, Chief Purser and I in the airport waiting for our flights</p></div>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Staff Captain Kaloyan Chalakov</p></div>
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</div><p>The final words ate Kaloyans:
</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I was born on 5th April 1976 in Varna, Bulgaria. After living in another city for a few years, my family finally moved back to Varna in 1985. Graduated in Mathematical High School Varna and Naval Academy after that, I set sail to sea in 2000. One of my hobbies for extensive period of time was and still is sail and motor boats, so career path was a natural choice. I am the first ever in history of my family to choose sea as a destiny path. My career began with merchant navy , cargo ships as bulk carrier, general cargo, container vessels and continued with joining cruise vessel industry in 2006. In 2007, I became part of Seabourn family and sailed under the command of almost all Captains in company on different ships. After gaining experience and developing my </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">professional, I was promoted to rank of Staff Captain in late 2010.</span></p>
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Thu, 26 Feb 2015 11:22:19 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/last-entry-for-this-blog.htmlThe Soundshttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/the-sounds.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Approaching Dusky Sound at sunrise</p></div>
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</div><p>On a calm morning we approached Dusky Sound. The sun rose behind the ragged peaks of the Southern Alps. The colours of the sky and clouds changed by the minute. A long rolling swell ran up from the deep south. It was a perfect morning.
</p><p>At 7:30 we passed the first outlying islands and entered the Sound.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>The entrance to Dusky Sound on the port bow.</p></div>
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</div><p>By breakfast time we were entering Acheron Passage.We slowed down to savour the moment and absorb the surroundings. Lofty peaks covered in dense vegetation rose from sea level on either side to dwarf us as we passed by. Those same peaks were reflected on the smooth water surface. Every change of course produced another stunning vista. I have been through here many times and I see something different each time. Captain Cook sailed here. I wonder what he thought of all this.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Entering the Acheron Passage.</p></div>
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</div><p>We left the sound passing Breaksea Island at 0945 and headed up the coast. We maintained a distance of 2 to 3 miles off. This was far enough out to appreciate the views unfolding before us and close enough to view the geology and wildlife from our cabin windows.
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Sun, 15 Feb 2015 18:31:52 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/the-sounds.html50 Shades of Grey……Clouds.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/50-shades-of-greyclouds.html
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</div><p>We have threaded our way though the outlying islands to our anchorage off the small township of Oban today. It is not to be confused with Oban Scotland. This is Oban, on Stewart Island New Zealand. Same weather, other side of the planet. No midges.
</p><p>It is really chilly this morning. We are swinging around our port anchor. There is very little wind to speak of but the 50 shades of grey I alluded too in the title overhead refer to the sky which is a blanket of cloud in various shades of grey.
</p><p>It is a quiet Sunday. My morning has passed far too quickly. I have no idea where the time goes some days and I spent it poking around in various lockers and storerooms around the ship.
</p><p>We are in the Fjords tomorrow. The camera is on charge and I really look forward to the scenery once again.
</p><p>Tonight was our Club dinner and I presented awards for people that had sailed 100 days on Seabourn, some for 200 days and an award for a couple that had sailed over 400 days with us. I find it all quite humbling to think I have sailed with some of them for many many days..
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Sat, 14 Feb 2015 18:43:26 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/50-shades-of-greyclouds.htmlPort Chalmers for the last time. Happy Valentines Day.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/port-chalmers-for-the-last.html
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</div><p>Since Picton we have called at Kaikoura, Akaroa and today, Port Chalmers.
</p><p>The morning dawned in Kaikoura revealing calm waters, blue seas, cloudless skies and a backdrop that was breathtaking. We anchored at breakfast time and ran our guests ashore in our tender boats. Whales spouted, dolphins leapt and seals do what seals do which seems to be to laze in the sun and do not much else. It was a great day to be out and about in this part of New Zealand. Just 100 miles further south lay Akaroa on the Banks Peninsular to the south of Christchurch. That was our next port of call.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p style="text-align: center;">Not a pleasant start to the day in Akaroa.</p></div>
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</div><p>What on earth happened to the weather? It could not have been more different. A strong West wind blew ragged clouds around the cliffs at the harbour entrance. At one point the visibility dropped to around 200 metres and cleared just as we entered into the harbour. It was cold and damp. Where had the sun of yesterday gone?
</p><p>We anchored at breakfast time again and over the next two hours the weather flip flopped from nice to just about ok and back again settling on dull and chilly. The next few photos show what I mean.
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Fri, 13 Feb 2015 23:16:27 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/port-chalmers-for-the-last.htmlPicton.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/picton-2.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>The Interislander ferry Arahura loads in Picton harbour.</p></div>
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</div><p>Stunning scenery, calm weather and blue skies. That is what greeted us this morning when at 6am we picked up Captain John Henderson, our Queen Charlotte Sound pilot. We berthed in Picton harbour at breakfast time whilst across from us the Interislander ferries loaded their wares for Wellington from whence we came.
</p><p>It was a peaceful crossing of the Cook Strait last night despite my concerns that a large swell from the south may spoil the serenity.
</p><p>Most of the morning was given over to our crew emergency drill. Today we had a make believe fire in one of our main electricity generating rooms followed by the inflation of one of our training liferafts. The photo album contains a few more photos of the exercise. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><strong><a href="http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/photo-albums/liferaft-inflation-exercise/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(4, 51, 255);">Click here to view it.</span></a></strong></span>
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>The crew assemble ashore for a liferaft inflation demonstration.</p></div>
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</div><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">By the time we had conducted our drill and carried out the debrief afterwards the morning had simply vanished. The purpose of the debrief is to learn lessons from the exercise and find areas where we can improve our response.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">We sailed shortly after 18:00 and left Queen Charlotte Sound through the Tory Channel. I will leave you with a few photos of the passage out.</span></p>
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Tue, 10 Feb 2015 23:25:52 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/picton-2.htmlWellington.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/wellington.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>The view from the bridge. Wellington harbour.</p></div>
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</div><p>We have docked right beside the Westpac rugby stadium. It was a little windy overnight as we entered the Cook Straits and entered the harbour. As the day has passed the wind has dropped. It is 17C outside which is a little on the cool side but being so bright and sunny more than compensates.
</p><p>We docked at 7:30 this morning and will sail at 23:00. Many of the guests have gone out and about on seal safaris, bush treks, visits to Te Papa museum which is the national Museum of New Zealand and partaking of retail therapy in the city.
</p><p>I on the other hand undertook a crew cabin inspection which you will know from the past is akin to inspecting 200 teenagers bedrooms. Interesting to say the least. It is a requirement of law that we do this to ensure that standards of safety and hygiene are met. Their standards and mine can differ somewhat from time to time but I am also very aware that their cabins are their areas of privacy and their home away from home.
</p><p>After dinner this evening we will have the Kapa Haka traditional Maori dancers and musicians onboard to entertain t eh guests before we leave for the overnight passage to Picton on the South Island.
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Tue, 10 Feb 2015 00:50:39 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/wellington.htmlTauranga….again.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/taurangaagain.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Tauranga port closed due to strong wind.</p></div>
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</div><p>We departed Picton. Having loaded some very nice local sauvignon blanc into the last tender from the shore we picked up the anchor and set off for Tauranga. The run round was pleasant enough but oh my Lord, when we arrived at the port limits on the morning of the 6th at 5am the port was shut due to the strong winds from the west. They would not let me in. After a review at 9am the port remained closed. All we could do was head for Auckland and see if we could arrive and get a berth for the night. So that is what we did. Not ideal but with no other choice , keeping the ship comfortable was the priority.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Sneaky picture of Victor, Assistant computer officer, who thought he could come to the bridge and steal our coffee and biscuits with impunity. Wrong!!</p></div>
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</div><p>When we got to Auckland the wind was still over 30 knots until we got into the lee of the city. Then we got some shelter and berthed on the Queens Wharf. All our mooring ropes were put out to hold the ship through the night. We had wind, rain and chilly temperatures all within the space of a few hours. Then by dawns early light it all changed. The sun came up, the clouds disappeared and the people came out to see us.
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Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:51:55 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/taurangaagain.htmlPicton.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/picton.html
<div class="article-summary"><p>We have arrived in Picton. What is much more important is that my camera has gone on the bugle. I am reliably informed that it is the battery. I am stunned as the camera is less than 4 months old. What could I have possibly done to cause this. I hope one of the wizards on board knows how to rectify the situation and soon.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Calm and warm day in Timaru looking south from the bridge.</p></div>
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</div><p>In the meantime, since my last missive we have visited Timaru, Akaroa, Wellington and today Picton. We have been tracking a large area of low pressure that has been battering the west coast of the South Island for a few days. These systems tend to unsettle the atmosphere and one usually leads to another. One was responsible for the unsettled weather in Stewart Island and Port Chalmers and another is brewing. We did manage two days of fine and settled weather for Timaru and Akaroa. Timaru in particular is a small port and really requires fine weather to navigate into and out of. We were blessed. For on the day the weather was calm and still whereas the night before we arrived it was blowing 30 knots from the North East. We arrived and anchored in Akaroa harbour at 7:30. The sun rose at 06:30 and the warm morning light gave the entrance cliffs a pink hue.
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Tue, 03 Feb 2015 22:08:48 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/picton.htmlPort Chalmers, New Zealand.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/port-chalmers-new-zealand.html
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</div><p>Since my last blog entry we have now crossed the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. The Tasman this time was much kinder in that although we had some swell is was not as bad as the last crossing. An Albatross picked us up at the Bass Straits and followed us for most of the way to New Zealand. I was watching him outside my cabin window and grabbed a snap as he passed.
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</div><p>That was all to the good for two days before we arrived in New Zealand we held our galley market event again. It would have been spoiled if the weather was not kind.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Already for the guests to arrive.</p></div>
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</div><p>The galley market is of course a huge success for guests and crew alike. It is one of Seabourns signature events and always worth a photo or three.
</p><p>Our first port of call in New Zealand was Milford and Dusky sounds. The weather was due to turn a bit inclement again during the day and would last for the next few days. However the conditions inside Milford Sound were fantastic. Our pilot was Captain John henderson. He is another 30 year veteran of these waters and he guided us seamlessly through the sounds. A few more pictures can be found in the bits n pieces photo album.
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Fri, 30 Jan 2015 16:36:34 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/port-chalmers-new-zealand.htmlAustralia Day.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/australia-day.html
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</div><p>If Sydney was bright and clear then Melbourne on arrival was clearly not. In fact when we arrived it looked positively gloomy. It was not to last. By midday the sun had burned its way through all the murk and bright blue skies were the order of the day. We had an overnight stay here again and most of the guests and crew took advantage of that.
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</div><p>The Australian Open tennis championship is being played at the moment in Melbourne and many people took advantage of that to get a ticket and watch a game. Not my game so I was content to remain onboard and hold the fort.
</p><p>It is a busy time for us here. We take on fuel oil from a large tanker barge that berths alongside us. We also use a gizmo called a cherry picker to get to those spots on the ship to paint that are simply impossible to get too otherwise. A cherry picker is a large extendable arm on wheels with a basket at the end in which our people can stand. It is then manoeuvred into position hydraulically to paint. This is a sight not often seen.
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Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:33:39 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/australia-day.htmlSydney, Australia.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/sydney-australia-2.html
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</div><p>We have arrived into Port Jackson and berthed in Sydney at the White bay Cruise terminal.
</p><p>Outside my window the hustle and bustle of people and luggage can be heard. Taxis and buses ferry people away to hotels and airports. Those with friends and family here are met with hugs and kisses. Who said there is little love in the world? Looking down at the arrivals hall from my balcony I would say there was plenty. All but 2 of our guests will leave us today. There is much to do before the new guests arrive in a few hours time.
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</div><p>I had to say goodbye to my son Leo. He was picked up by my brother in law David to spend the next 8 days with the family here in Sydney before he flies home at the end of the month to England. I am sure he will be kept busy and have a great time. I miss him already. He has been part of my life onboard for 6 weeks and suddenly he has gone. Even for me it takes time to adjust.
</p><p>The business of getting the ship ready for the next voyage has begun. There are stores trucks on the quay discharging their cargoes ready to be taken onboard and distributed into the fridges and storerooms. I can see everything from food and drinks to engine spares, paint and polishes, toilet rolls to soaps and paper for the printers. The list goes on and on.
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Wed, 21 Jan 2015 02:44:11 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/sydney-australia-2.htmlTrans Tasman.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/trans-tasman.html
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</div><p>As I write we are in the Tasman Sea heading for Melbourne at position 40º 50’S, 162º 10’E. That puts us about 670 miles from Milford Sound in New Zealand and 850 miles from Melbourne. The Tasman is not being as kind as it could be to us due to two areas of low pressure creating some swells and wind causing us to move about a bit.
</p><p>Since I last wrote we have visited Akaroa, Port Chalmers which is the port for Dunedin, Stewart Island again and Milford Sound.
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</div><p>Akaroa this time was not as windy and grey as our last visit but it was still chilly. The harbourmaster greeted me by saying that we should have been there yesterday as it was hot and sunny unlike today. Not helpful. I had some friends come to see me. Annie and Rex are good friends that we met in New Zealand and Annie is like a second mother to us.
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</div><p>Next we went to Port Chalmers. The port lies inside Otago bay some 9 miles from the sea. At the entrance to the port lies Taiaroa Head. This peninsular is a protected bird colony and is home to countless cormorants and Albatrosses. Port Chalmers for me holds many great memories. My wife and I BC (before children) came here on container ships together. The pilot came up the ladder at the harbour entrance. I said to him that it was so chilly and overcast. “You should have been here yesterday” he said. I glowered at him. A Scottish bagpipe band piped us away from the quay. Dunedin is about as Scottish as you can get outside of Scotland itself complete with a statue of Robert Burns the poet in the town centre.
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Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:03:45 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/trans-tasman.htmlKaikourahttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/kaikoura.html
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</div><p>Today we arrived at the small township of Kaikoura and anchored off the harbour. On New Year's Day we did not manage to do this as the weather and sea conditions were too rough to operate our tenders safely. Today is much better and the first group of people have already departed to take a whale watching tour. Locals in small boats are coming around to have a look at us. Not many passenger ships come to Kaikoura I suspect.
</p><p>Kaikoura is probably the whale watching capital of New Zealand. The reason is that the continental shelf comes in really close to the shore. This means that there is deep water relatively close to the shore and so the whales come in close along the shelf. We are anchored in 14 metres of water yet 1.5 miles offshore from us the water drops down to over 1000 metres deep. I have not seen any whales this morning but they were around last time so there is no reason to doubt they are not around today.
</p><p>It is a Sunday and a chance for me to catch up with some paperwork and emails and plan my week ahead.
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Sat, 10 Jan 2015 18:08:14 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/kaikoura.htmlA Lazy Blogger.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/a-lazy-blogger.html
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</div><p>I was reminded today by one of my esteemed guests that I am indeed a lazy blogger for I have not posted in some considerable time. What can I say. I have no defence. My last post was after the fjords. Last year in fact.
</p><p>“How are people supposed to know who is onboard and where you are if you dont update them?” I was asked. I apologised profusely. “Dont you know you were mentioned on Cruise Critic?” they went on. “Err No” was all I could say. I beat a hasty retreat with a promise to keep the blog updated.
</p><p>So here we go.
</p><p>Since the fjords the ship has visited Stewart Island, Timaru, Akaroa, Wellington, Picton, Tauranga, Auckland, back to Tauranga and today I am in Wellington.
</p><p>I have been busy you know. Seabourn Odyssey takes a little bit of running and with my son Leo being here I have been occupied. That is my defence.
</p><p>The day we arrived at Stewart Island was calm, warmish and sunny. In fact the pilot, Captain David Edge, described it as a heat wave for the island. The scenery was very reminiscent of the Scottish Hebrides. Small islands were dotted about in a blue sea with white sand beaches shining in the sun. I can’t remember the last time I saw the sea quite so calm in this area.
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Thu, 08 Jan 2015 17:30:58 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/a-lazy-blogger.htmlMilford and Dusky Soundshttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/milford-and-dusky-sounds.html
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</div><p>What a day. Nothing describes the views here. You just have to gaze and watch it all unfold.
</p><p>The approach did not look good. It was a grey day with thick cloud shrouding the mountain tops. A long rolling swell caused the ship to roll gently.
</p><p>Once inside the sea smoothed out and the sun started to burn off the mists. The cloud started to lift and by the time we had reached the end of the fjord at the town of Milford the most of the cloud had dispersed. Overnight heavy rains had charged all the waterfalls and the infamous Sterling Falls bedazzled in the morning sun. We spent three hours in Milford Sound and around 10:00 departed to the south towards Dusky sound.
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</div><p>At 16:00 we entered Dusky sound. I must confess that I prefer Dusky sound. We entered at the north end of the Achenon passage near Breaksea Island and spent another 3 hours inside the sound passing down the east side of Resolution Island.
</p><p>It was another time for superlatives. You just have to experience this. Our guests crowded deck 6 forward and 10 deck forward to get the best views. Cameras clicked and videos whirred. Even cumbersome iPads were raised to get snapshots.
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Sun, 28 Dec 2014 03:58:35 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/milford-and-dusky-sounds.htmlChristmas Day on the Tasman Sea.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/christmas-day-on-the-tasman.html
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</div><p>Christmas morning saw Seabourn Odyssey heading due east out into the Tasman Sea leaving Flinders Island off the South east coast of Australia behind us.
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</div><p>The claggy grey skies that hung over Melbourne and Port Phillip bay have dispersed somewhat and a suggestion of blue skies lie overhead the ship. The sea is undulating due to swell running up from the deep South West and another comes down from the North. Both are indications of “disturbances in the Force” many miles away from our present positions. We shall be keeping an eye on both with interest. The forecast for tomorrow and the 27th is not that flash but we shall see.
</p><p>Onboard the mood is jolly and the crew are buzzing about making Christmas morning special for our guests. The crew Pursers, Bjorn and Bernie, were out and about last night distributing chocolates and presents for each crew member wrapped in a stocking or a red Santas hat. The officers served the crew their lunch in the mess room and I held a small get together to thank the team in my conference room. I also had the chance to wish one of our Able Seamen a happy birthday. He was a Christmas Day baby and we presented another with his 10 year long service award from the Company.
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Wed, 24 Dec 2014 23:50:42 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/christmas-day-on-the-tasman.htmlMelbourne, Australia.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/melbourne-australia.html
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</div><p>We have arrived and docked at the Station Pier cruise terminal in Melbourne. The run around from Sydney was quiet enough despite a forecast that would lead us to believe that a southerly swell could upset the apple cart somewhat. The new guests have settled in well for this the Christmas cruise to Auckland. My table for the formal dinner was a lively one. My son Leo and I hosted some of our diamond members and Mr and Mrs Steve Wozniak, one of our guest speakers. We were the second last table to leave the dining room as time slipped by.
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</div><p>Our Executive Chef Kurt Timmermans and his team have created some special decorations to celebrate Christmas in the form of gingerbread houses. They bring a welcome splash of Christmas cheer to the ship. Our decorations adorn us and Christmas trees dotted around the decks bring a touch of sparkle to the place. It is not unusual to see the guests pick off the odd candy cane or gumdrop when they think nobody is looking!
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</div><p>The menus for Christmas Day have been sorted. The crew held their Christmas raffle and we are starting to get into the ’mood’. Our Security Officer Mark Neale will once again don the bright red suite and stuff a pillow up the front to take on the jolly persona to hand out the secret Santa presents at the crew Christmas dinner. The entertainment staff have been rehearsing the festive show for the evening. John Howell our Cruise Director has his plans. The poinsettias are out and about around the ship adding splashes of bright red and green.
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Tue, 23 Dec 2014 00:41:10 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/melbourne-australia.htmlSydney, Australia.http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/sydney-australia.html
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</div><p>We have arrived at cruise end. We left Bali on the 5th December and have arrived in Sydney this morning after a voyage of a little over 3600 nautical miles. It has been wonderful. A diverse mix of ports from Komodo Island to Cairns, from Hamilton Island to Sydney and the run down the Great Barrier reef with its turquoise waters and white sands kept everybody delighted. The weather has been warm. Even the occasional tropical rain shower was warm!
</p><p>We embarked our pilot at 0930 this morning entered Port Jackson, the name for this harbour, passed Sydney city and docked on our berth at the White Bay cruise terminal. The foreward decks of the ship were festooned with guests all soaking up the atmosphere as we passed the opera house and below the bridge. We tooted our horn at those brave souls that were on the Harbour bridge climb. They stood on the bridge apex and waved as we passed beneath them.
</p><p>Some guests chose to leave us today whilst the majority chose to visit the city and will go home tomorrow.
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Fri, 19 Dec 2014 19:26:00 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/sydney-australia.htmlWhitsunday Islandshttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/whitsunday-islands.html
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</div><p>Time has flown by. Today is our last day in the Great barrier Reef that fringes the Queensland coast of Australia.
</p><p>Since I last wrote we have visited Darwin in the far north, wound our way over Cape Yorke, the northern most tip of Australia, come south into the port of Cairns for an overnight stop, further south into Townsville and today we are in the Whitsunday Islands.
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Our electronic ECDIS chart showing part of our track through the Great Barrier Reef. We are the black circle with arrow.</p></div>
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</div><p>Our reef pilot is Captain Alistair Heron. He is a veteran of these waters with years and years of experience.
</p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">The Whitsunday islands are a little slice of paradise. The water is turquoise blue, the sands are bleached white and all around us are outlying islands keeping the waters calm. The tide sluices among them rippling the waters gently. It is an idyllic setting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';">We started our Australian adventure in Darwin. That was very hot and sticky. Our pilot was an ex pat Scotsman by the name of Captain Alistair Logan. A very convivial fellow. He assisted us to enter the port and dock the ship. Once alongside we loaded fresh produce, local fruits and sent our guests ashore to visit the local area. I on the other hand hid in the air conditioned interior of the ship.</span></p>
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Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:16:35 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/whitsunday-islands.htmlThe Arafura Seahttp://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/the-arafura-sea.html
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<div class="figure-content caption"><p>Tug of War.</p></div>
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</div><p>We are crossing the Arafura Sea. It is a beautiful day and it is crew <a href="http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/photo-albums/tug-of-war/" target="_blank"><span style="color: rgb(255, 47, 146);">tug of war day.</span></a> The guests came out in force to show their support for the teams from the Bar department, Spa, Restaurant, Engineers, Academy and galley. Compered by John Howell our Cruise Director and with Yours Truly officiating to ensure nobody got hurt and that there was FairPlay the Engineers won the day. After standing in the sun for only an hour I can feel the tingling of slight sunburn on my head. The sun is vicious! I have no idea how some people can lie in it all day with apparent impunity.
</p><p>It is a restful day at sea. The mood around the ship is good, the sky is blue and the sea is calm. We are heading east towards Cape Wessel which marks the western extremity of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the northern coast of Australia. We should pass Cape Wessel around 23:00 this evening before striking out further east towards Cape York and the Prince of Wales Channel. This marks the entrance to the Torres Straits and the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef.
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Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:51:08 -0400http://markdexter.fatcow.com/Captain_Mark_Dexter/ship-blogs/seabourn-odyssey-bali-to-oz/the-arafura-sea.html